Well, it’s that time of the year again. The holidays are upon us and many of us are probably knee deep in preparations. Some of us are doing our gift shopping, and some of us maybe have not even started. And if we’re on a budget, it can make gift-giving a little tight. If you’re stuck and wondering what to get your friends and family and still maintain a budget, here are some tips for unique gifts. Continue reading “Thoughtful Gift-Giving Ideas”

This sweet treat is bound to be a favorite this holiday season! -picture frommydarlingvegan.com

What do you think of when you think of the holiday season? Most people would say gathering with friends and family, the cold weather and the food. If you’re attending a holiday party or gathering or just craving a sweet treat during the chilly months, this recipe is for you! This quick and easy recipe only takes about 30 minutes to prep and cook. (The best part is that it’s vegan AND allergy friendly!) Continue reading “Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies*”

Not the Christmas movie to watch with your parents. Despite being one of the few Rated-R Christmas movies, “Bad Santa” is one of those films I watch every holiday season. With hilarious performances from Billy Bob Thornton and the late, great Bernie Mac, this movie depicts Santa in his raunchiest form ever. One of those Christmas movies that is perfect for holiday lovers and detractors alike. Continue reading “The Top 10 Greatest Christmas Films”

3rd floor of Preble Hall is celebrating the holidays with their own tree.

What is your idea of the perfect Christmas tree? How do you decorate it? Do you have a real or artificial tree? Every family has a tradition during the holidays when it comes to Christmas trees. Many people put lights and ornaments on their Christmas tree. Some UMPI students are even celebrating the holidays by decorating their rooms with lights and small Christmas trees. Continue reading “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”

What comes to mind when you think of a food pantry? Perhaps you imagine a local, non-profit organization where people volunteer for charity and offer meals to those in need. But what about a food pantry on your local college campus? It may not sound typical. That’s probably because it isn’t. But if you visit Folsom Hall on the UMPI campus, on the bottom floor near the vending machines, you might notice that there’s something different. Continue reading “UMPI’s New Addition”

As I write this, our country deals with another tragic incident, this time the mass killings of worshippers in a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.This follows the Las Vegas shooting on Oct. 1, a shooting in a church in Charleston, South Carolina, not two years ago, the Orlando night club shooting in 2016, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, as well as countless others across the country that have received less media and political attention.Some of these occurred in religious institutions, some in schools, some in public arenas.Our public outlets are filled with near-constant discussion focusing in various ways—and with widely varying quality and integrity—upon the hows and whys of these events, often including who is directly or indirectly culpable and what could have been done to prevent them. Continue reading “Rice’s Ruminations Teaching Virtue”

On Oct. 19, 2017, a new object was discovered passing through the inner solar system. The discovery of new objects passing through the inner solar system is not all that unusual.What is unusual is where this object may come from.It is not from our solar system.If this is true, it will be the first extra-solar system object discovered passing through our solar system. Continue reading “A Visitor From Outside Our Solar System”

Thursday night, Oct. 26, the business club brought a fantastic painting night to UMPI. Paula Siddiqui, who is a local artist from Caribou, Maine, instructed its paint night. The fun activity was in hopes of raising funds for a trip to Washington, D.C.That planned trip will create connection and further business knowledge. Continue reading “Wonderful, Scary Painting Night”